Start the scheduled scan only when computer is on but not in use
- Policy ID
- Scan_ScanOnlyIfIdle
- Scope
- Computer Configuration
- Supported on
- At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
- Source
- Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
- Category
- Windows Components › Microsoft Defender Antivirus › Scan
Description
This policy setting allows you to configure scheduled scans to start only when your computer is on but not in use.
If you enable or do not configure this setting, scheduled scans will only run when the computer is on but not in use.
If you disable this setting, scheduled scans will run at the scheduled time.
Registry
ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- ScanOnlyIfIdleREG_DWORD